I have inlcuded this restaurant as I suggest it to my clients...the description speaks for itself.

moyo , a loose translation from the Swahili word for soul, was founded by Jason Lurie, a man rich in experiencing the culture of Africa. Although Lurie qualified as an economist, it is his background in music, his love of food, and his passion for all things African that drove him to develop moyo.

 Initially opened in 1998 as a small 120 seater restaurant in Norwood, one of Johannesburg premier suburbs, Lurie always conceived the moyo brand to become something that would give all Africanists a reason to believe: to believe in the richness of the culture and the African offering: be it the (then) unknown sophistication of the food, the ability to deliver world class service, the flair of design, the best of African entertainment, the extraordinary offering of retail that could exist; into the realm of everything Africa has to offer to the world.  The great customer response to initial moyo restaurant allowed Lurie to build a strong team that could translate his vision into the number of offerings that exists today.

 In 2002, moyo Norwood grow into moyo at Melrose Arch, a 500 hundred seater on five different levels. The customer offering is varied throughout the floors: from a large Moroccan tent on the bottom floor, to intimate two seater “gigis “. World class African entertainment is offered seven nights a week. The moyo retail offering showcasing the best of African talent, incorporates a highly successful moyo CD, and has grown significantly in the tiny space it currently finds itself.

 moyo at the Market opened next in 2003. Johannesburg inner city has long been in a phase of inner city decline, but immense amount of work is being put into building back the inner city to a CBD that one of Africa’s leading cities can be proud of. Therefore it was only right that moyo should be one of the leading brands to make the move back into the inner city by taking over the foyer of the Market Theatre, a theatre rich in cultural history.  moyo at the market is also multi-level, offering 250 customers a unique experience,  but has its own interpretation for the area in which it is centred.

 moyo at Spier opened next in the winelands of the Western Cape. This completely unique experience finds moyo set in a garden. A combination of tents, tree houses and gazebos make for a magical place: a fairyland under the stars. A magnificent buffet allows in excess of 100 guests to savour the many and varies dishes Africa’s best have to offer.

 moyo is about the senses. In design, moyo adheres to touch and sight: in finding texture, and focusing on the natural feel of all materials. moyo craft, the moyo factory, manufacture virtually all the items you will find in any moyo; form the magnificent steelwork; carved woods, the unique use of cowry shells and various oxides bring out the best in all markets.  moyo has  a resident coppersmith, Helmut Nikel, a master starts who crates magic through awesome lighting, water features, and pieces of art cunningly disguised as lights and various other useful parts of the restaurant! Ashley Heron creates exquisite mosaic features using oxides, stones, shells and beads.

 The moyo food offering appeals to the sense of taste and smell: designed to appeal to the sophisticated, based on an eclectic range of African cuisine.

 moyo entertainment ensures the sensory overload of both sight and hearing.  Natalie Fisher searches Africa for the best of current and new talent, offering customers the opportunity to experience the best of current and exciting new acts, and offers new talent the opportunity to perform in a world class environment. moyo entertainment is currently doing live recordings for the New moyo  Live compilation CD available in October 2004.

 But it is the combination of all the unique touches built into the moyo experience that ensures all sense are engaged. From the wishy washy ladies, singing while they wash customers hands before they eat, the face painters, painting delicate traditional dots on diners faces, to henna tattooing, to story telling to drumming waiters…

moyo Melrose Arch is open from 12 pm till late, every day of the week. 

Menu Sample  One course...

CUISINE

Taking inspiration from all four compass points, MOYO serves primarily an African menu with influences from all over the continent. Having scoured our beautiful continent for recipes, both traditional and contemporary to tease and tantalise your senses and please your palette. Expect exotic dishes such as Samaki Kavu from the East, from the West Chicken Yassa from the South, Venison Babootie and from the north, varieties of fragrant tangines.

SET MENU - 1

Moyo takes great pride in offering our African feast style set menus. Our food is served in large platters and is intended to be shared in a way that all at the table get to enjoy all the flavours.

ENTRÉE
Root Vegetable Crisps (Potato, Sweet Potato, Beetroot) Various breads including Coconut Bread, Sweet Potato Pumpkin Bread, Rose Petal Semit Bread - Served with Dips of Dukkah, Chichpea, Harrisa and Olive Oil

STARTERS

Cold:

North African Salad Meze including:
Mixed Pepper with preserved Lemon Salad
Roasted Beetroot Salad
Moroccan Potato Salad
Tabouleh Salad

Hot:
Seared Calamari and molasses toasted Peanuts and Chili.

MAIN COURSES

Tagines
A North African dish named after the traditional conical clay pot in which it is prepared and served. Slow cooked in a variety of spices until soft , tender and succulent. Tagines are served with your choice of plain, spicy or sweet sauce
Tagine Lamb &
Tagine Chicken &
Tagine Seven Vegetables

SIDE ORDERS
Cous Cous Basmati Rice

DESERTS
Toasted Almond Ice Cream African Biscuit Platter - Fresh from the moyo bakery Mint Tea